The Hoosier private sector has added jobs for ten consecutive months, surging again in July with 9,900 jobs created. That was led by the manufacturing sector, which added more than 5,000 jobs.

But the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.9 percent because the state’s labor force continues to swell, with about 2,500 people rejoining the job hunt last month.

Governor Pence says he’s encouraged by that, because it shows optimism in the Hoosier economy.

“The policies that we’re advancing – beginning with fiscal responsibility, a pro-growth environment of low taxes, sensible regulations, the right kind of investments in roads, in bridges, and in education innovation – is creating an environment where businesses, even in this soft economy, are seeing Indiana as a great place to invest and a great place to grow,” he says.

Over the past year, Indiana’s labor force has grown by more than 54,000 people, a rate eight times larger than the national average.

Brandon Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO, and at WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.

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